Severe diaper rash treatment article and video help and tips
A diaper rash is a common condition that can cause your baby’s skin to become reddish and sore. Diaper rash is also known as “nappy rash” or “diaper rash.” It appears on the skin underneath the diaper. It may appear all over your baby’s buttocks or genital area, or only in specific areas. Diaper, because it is often warm and wet, is a good environment for bacteria to grow to cause your baby’s skin to the rash.
At 9 to 12 months of age, most babies get diaper rash. It is the time when they are still sitting most of the time and are also eating solid foods, which may contribute to the acidity of the bowel movements.
Any mother would not want their babies’ soft and smooth skin to have rashes. So, let us learn some causes of diaper rash, types, its prevention, and treatment.
Causes
• Skin irritation. This is mostly the cause of diaper rash in babies. Some common irritants include urine, stool, bacteria, soaps, fragrance chemicals, and others. Rubbing against the diaper material can irritate your baby’s skin and cause it to look inflamed and flushed.
• Heat and moisture or wetness. When urine mixes with bacteria from his stool, it breaks down and forms ammonia, which can be very harsh.
• Bacteria or yeast infection. Bacteria and yeast love dark, moist areas. Since the diaper is often moist, infection from bacteria and organisms cause rashes to the baby and could be harmful.
• New foods. It is common for babies to get diaper rash when he starts eating solid foods. Your baby’s skin could even be reacting to something he’s eating.
• Antibiotics. Antibiotics can cause diarrhea that also contributes to the baby rash. It kills bacteria – both good and bad. Without the right balance of these bacteria, yeast infections can take place.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvzbLRk3IIY
Types of Diaper Rash
• Diaper chafing (Chafing dermatitis)
This is the most common form of diaper rash. It can make the genital area and folds of thighs and buttocks show red and puffy.
• Atopic dermatitis (Eczema)
It shows up as red scaly patches on the legs and in the groin area of the baby. Causes can be allergens, irritants, environmental or genetic factors.
• Yeast infection (Candida dermatitis)
This type of rash usually develops during or after the use of antibiotics. The tender and painful rash appears in the folds of the genitals, legs and abdominal creases.
• Stool irritation (Perianal dermatitis)
The rash appears bright to dark red around the anus. This usually happens when the baby starts to receive solid foods.
• Impetigo (Strep bacteria)
Rash of this type is caused by bacteria called Streptococci and Staphylococci. It looks yellow-brown crusty patches, pus-filled pimples or blisters with redness.
• Diaper irritation (Tidemark dermatitis)
The cause of this rash type is the rubbing of diaper edges or bindings against the baby’s skin. It appears red and irritated seen in the creases of the legs or abdomen.
• Skin-to-skin friction (Intertrigo)
This rash appears as a reddened spot, which occurs as a result of skin friction on skin. The rash can be found in the folds between the thighs, armpits, and abdomen.
Prevention and Treatment
• Change diapers frequently. Exposure to stools or urine may cause skin damage and rash formation. Wash the skin with a washcloth or cotton balls dipped in warm water.
• Change soiled diapers right away.
• Rinse cloth diapers. With your baby always having dry clean diapers on, the chance of getting diaper rash will noticeably be reduced.
• Use diaper rash cream or ointment on your baby’s bottom to form skin protection and treat the infection-related cause.
• Put the diaper on loosely to prevent chafing so some air can enter and the area can breathe.
• Introduce new foods cautiously and gradually.
• Use gentle soap and perfume to your baby’s skin. Remember that your baby has delicate and sensitive skin.
How to Stop That Diaper Rash
A Diaper rash is a condition that causes the baby’s skin to become sore and tender. It happens if you leave soiled diapers on for too long or friction from the diapers. Some soaps and detergents could cause skin irritation resulting in a rash. Diarrhea and plastic pants used to cover diapers can also cause diaper rash. New parents may become worried about their first encounter with diaper rash. They begin to feel at ease once they apply some home remedies and see the diaper rash disappear.
Diaper rash is usually red with raised bumps and small red dots surrounding the main portion of the rash. There may be swelling and peeling of the skin. If you see indications of diaper rash, apply treatment immediately so it doesn’t get worse. Here are some tips to prevent or at least minimize the occurrence of diaper rash.
Keep your baby’s skin as dry and clean as possible. Change wet or soiled diapers as soon as possible. Parents try to let babies wear diapers for some time. They go to the extent of putting plastic pants on the baby to extend the wearing time of the diapers. One reason for this attitude may be the cost of disposable diapers. It may appear cheap at the onset but if you are using 10 to 12 diapers a day, the expenses can build up. Using regular cloth diapers does not minimize expenses much since you have to provide for soap and spend time washing and drying the diapers. You might need to rinse the cloth diapers several times to remove traces of soap or detergent that can irritate your baby’s skin.
If you are at home, soak your baby’s bottom with warm water in-between diaper changes. This will wash off any irritants caused by the urine or poop. Allow the skin to dry completely before putting on another diaper. If you cannot wait, wipe the wetness off gently with some soft tissue. Remember that the baby’s skin is very soft and tender during the first months and any undue roughness will harm the baby. We should be conscious of our actions and understand that what we think is gentle may still be too rough for the baby’s skin.
If diaper rash does occur despite your efforts to prevent it, check with the doctor on the type of treatment or ointments you can apply on the baby’s skin. Parents with experiences in caring for babies can offer some suggestions on treating diaper rash. There are several off-the-shelf treatments available that can cure the diaper rash at a moment’s notice. It is best to inform the doctor of how you dealt with diaper rash, in case the baby begins exhibiting some form of allergy or fever. The doctor can monitor the baby’s progress from the start and be on top of the situation in case the diaper rash worsens.
If your baby’s diaper rash does not heal and improve if your baby is not eating well, if he develops fever or appears not feeling well, seek your doctor’s advice right away.